On 24 November 2007, the Australian Body Politic had a Heart/Brain transplant. So far, it seems the patient is making a good recovery, but we shall monitor progress. As of 31 December 2007, the patient has been moved out of "Intensive Care".
There was a period of uncertainty, under Kevin Rudd, and then Julia Gillard. On 14 September 2010 Julia Gillard was sworn in as Prime Minister, by the Governor General.

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Mr Alby Schultz replies re The Apology

Mr Alby Schulz, MHR, Member for Hume (and hence, my Local Member) has responded to my urgent correspondence of 13 February - when he failed to appear in the House of Representatives, during the Apology to the Stolen Generations.

Dear Mr WilsonThank you for your email in which you express your support for the National Apology to the Stolen Generation and concerns regarding my absence from the Prime Ministers Sorry speech.

I apologise for the long delay of my response to you on this important matter and also advise the following regarding my absence from the Prime Ministers Sorry speech as I feel it important the reason for my absence is clarified.

During and following the Tuesday 12th February 2008 opening and long sitting of parliament which concluded at 2am on Wednesday 13th February 2008, I experienced ongoing severe pain in my left eye socket which holds a prosthetic eye due to an accident in 2003.

The pain became so intense I sought emergency medical advice on Wednesday morning. After receiving medication and resting under advice, I resumed my duties in the Parliament. On Thursday the 14th February 2008 I saw my specialist at an appointment for which I had received approval for leave. The specialist believes he has found a long term solution to this intermittent painful condition. The problem has been attended to and I am not experiencing any further problems.

The Prime Minister’s speech appealed to some and raised concern for others. It seems that nothing is assured with regard to the government not becoming liable for compensation and Mr Rudd didn't mention addressing the current problems in some indigenous communities like the sexual abuse of children. I feel the sentiment now needs to be followed up with concrete action. Proof of real commitment will be in the outcomes of the government’s so-called promise to fix the real problems within the indigenous communities. I believe that a solution to the problems facing Aboriginals is overdue although the Howard Government had begun the process in 2007 with the Northern Territory Interventions.

It should be noted that the snubbing of opposition leader Brendan Nelson at the National Apology by indigenous members of the audience would not help their cause.

The turning of backs and booing of Dr Nelson is indicative of how 'fair dinkum' some sections of the indigenous community are about their commitment to building harmonious relationships with fellow Australians. To be successful it needs to be a two-way street. Any solutions offered to solve the problems facing aboriginal communities need to be embraced and supported by those communities and their elders if there is ever to be any positive changes seen in the future.